12 Months of Motivation for New Year's Resolutioners

Res-o-lu-tion-er (res-oh-loo-shun-ear),
Part of Speech: noun,
Definition: One who comes to a definite or earnest decision about

I don't claim to be psychic but I can predict two things with some certainty. One, come Sunday morning gyms across America will be filled to capacity with "New Years Resolutioners". Two, on or around March 1 finding an empty treadmill at the aforementioned gyms will not be a challenge.

Please don't take my predictions as a sign that I have no confidence in humankind. On the contrary, I believe that most people who make new year's resolutions fully intend to keep them. My prediction is based completely on human nature. We are creatures of habit; habits become second nature and make life easier-but not necessarily better. Resolutions involve change and change is rarely simple for that average person. New Year's Resolutioners need constant sources of motivation and encouragement to make the changes they desire.

If you are one of the millions of people worldwide who have resolved to start and stay on a path that will lead to weight loss, healthy food choices or a higher degree of fitness you need to arm yourself with new and ever changing supply of motivation in order to achieve success throughout 2012. I'd like to share with you a few of my tried and true sources of inspiration.

Let the Music Move You

Music has a powerful ability to get people moving. Upbeat tunes make great company when you're working out. Fast paced music is like your own personal trainer telling you not to slow down. Put together playlists of your favorite songs, the ones that never fail to get you moving and listen to them during your workouts. You may even want to reward yourself with a new song for every every third or forth workout so that you will have something to look forward to. I keep a dedicated Ipod Shuffle filled with only upbeat music for keeping me moving during my cardio workouts.

Read for motivation

Keeping a supply of current health-related reading material on hand is one of my favorite ways to not only stay informed but also to stay focused. By constantly reading about new and different workouts and healthy recipes I can't help but get inspired to try new things. I borrow new books and the latest fitness magazines from my local library on almost a weekly basis. (The public library in our area allows users to request items online and contacts the users when the material is available to be picked up.) Having the books and magazines lying around is a visual reminder to stay on course as well.

Make New Friends But Keep the Old

Friends can feel like enemies when you're trying to make positive lifestyle changes. Generally, when we get together with friends there is food involved. Even those friends who eat healthfully during the week may encourage you to share a fat laden appetizer or pour you a second or third drink without even asking if you'd like one. The worst case scenario is the friend who sabotages your efforts by offering desserts or tempting you to skip the gym.

Rather than dump your friends, get proactive. Instead of socializing over dinner suggest meeting for a cup of coffee or green tea, shopping at a favorite mall or watching a movie.

If suggesting alternate, non-food related activities doesn't work with your friends it may be time to find some new friends. Look for activities in your community where you're likely to meet new people who share your attitude. For instance, you could volunteer to help a local charity organize a 5K walk, run or a biking event. Contact your local YMCA to inquire about fitness related groups that you could join. They may be able to lead you to a group training for an event like a triathlon. A few years ago I volunteered to chair a committee for our local affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Race for the Cure, a 5K Walk/Run to benefit breast cancer awareness. I continue to volunteer for the organization and have learned a great deal about the cause and met some really wonderful people.

Variety is the Spice of Life

Monotony is a sure way to lose your resolve to change in the new year. Regularly trying new recipes and workouts can keep the momentum going. Try before you buy by borrowing fitness DVD's from the library or check out one of the many fitness websites online to find new exercises or fitness routines. Ebay and stores that sell used dvd's are affordable sources for purchasing the dvd's you want to own. (My son found me a used copy of Zumba for Playstation just this week!) There are countless books, magazines and websites devoted to healthy cooking where you can locate recipes for healthy versions of your favorite meals. Strive to try one new exercise or recipe each week.


By finding ways to keep your resolutions from turning into a cause for dread, strive to make them a source for providing opportunities to try new things that excite and motivate you 12 months out of the year. By January 1 of 2013 you may feel like a new you.